USITC Votes to Continue Investigations on Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products from China, but not France

January 12, 2018

News Release 18-007

Inv. No. 701-TA-590 and 731-TA-1397-1398 (Preliminary)

Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

USITC Votes to Continue Investigations on Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products from China, but not France

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is threatened with material injury by reason of imports of sodium gluconate, gluconic acid, and derivative products from China that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

The Commission further determined that there is not a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of these imports from France that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Vice Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson and Meredith M. Broadbent made affirmative threat determinations with respect to China and voted in the negative with respect to France. Chairman Rhonda K. Schmidtlein made affirmative present injury determinations with respect to both China and France.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue with its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning imports of these products from China, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about February 23, 2018, and its antidumping duty determination due on or about May 9, 2018. As a result of the Commission’s negative determination, the investigation with respect to France will end.

The Commission’s public report Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products from China and France (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-590 and 731-TA-1397-1398 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4756, January 2018) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

Product Description: Sodium gluconate ("GNA"), gluconic acid ("GA"), and derivative products are primarily produced from corn-based liquid glucose. The products covered in this investigation's scope include GA, GNA, glucono-delta-lactone ("GDL"), liquid gluconate ("LG"), and blends containing 35 percent or more of GNA, GA, LG, and/or GDL by dry weight. GNA and GDL are sold as white powders while GA and LG are sold in liquid form. GNA products have uses in a multitude of industries including concrete and admixtures, food industry, personal care and household products, and in agriculture.